Bio

Jackson Arley Martínez Valencia, usually known more simply as Jackson Martínez, was born in Quibdó, Colombia on 3 October 1986. A talented centre forward, he is known for his excellent goalscoring record and is able to finish chances with either foot, making him a constant threat. He is sometimes referred to by the nickname 'Cha Cha Cha'.

Beginning his career at the Independiente Medellín youth academy, Jackson Martínez made the step up to the senior team in 2004 and went on to play 143 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 60 goals. In the 2008-09 season, he helped the club to win a Categoría Primera A title, finishing the campaign as the division's top goalscorer. As a result, he attracted attention from other countries and completed a move to Mexico in 2010, joining Jaguares de Chiapas.

Upon arriving at Chiapas, Martínez was able to hit the ground running, scoring nine goals in 13 matches over the course of the 2009-10 season. During the Copa Libertadores 2011, he played a large role in helping the side to reach the quarter finals and prior to the Clausura 2012 season, he was appointed as club captain. Another prolific goalscoring season followed and Martínez caught the attention of Portuguese giants, FC Porto. During the summer transfer window of 2012, they completed an $11 million deal for the striker, bringing him to Europe for the first time in his career.

His first season with the club was hugely successful, as Porto won the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira and the Primeira Liga title and Martínez ended up as the league's top scorer, with 26 league goals in 30 appearances. He was noted by various publications as being one of the signings of the season and continued his success into 2013-14, scoring against Vitória SC to help the team win another Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. During the campaign, he scored his 50th goal for the club, taking less than two full seasons to reach the landmark.

At international level, Martínez made his first appearance for Colombia's national team in 2009, at the age of 22, and scored his first goal for the team later that same year. He went on to score three goals during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and was included in the country's squad for the 2011 Copa América competition.